Student Employment - Undergraduate Assistant

ECU Department of Coastal Studies is currently seeking 1 undergraduate intern to support field- and observation-based research on how storms and droughts influence salinity patterns and water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System ( APES).

Interns will work directly with both PIs on boat-based surveys and preparation of field datasets that support a larger hydrodynamic modeling project.

This position is ideal for students interested in estuarine fieldwork, coastal water quality, saltwater intrusion, or environmental monitoring.

Key Responsibilities:
Fieldwork (Primary Focus)
* Assist with boat-based salinity transects in Currituck Sound, the Alligator River, and the Tar-Pamlico Estuary.
* Prepare field gear, calibrate handheld sensors, and record field metadata.

Data & Lab Tasks
* Organize and clean salinity and water-quality datasets from field surveys.
* Conduct basic quality checks on monitoring data (missing values, inconsistencies).

Optional (If Interested)
* Support basic visualization of salinity patterns for reports or presentations.
* Assist in preparing simple summaries for collaborators and stakeholders.

Qualifications:
Required
* Interest in coastal science, estuarine ecology, or water quality.
* Ability to assist with fieldwork, including long days on research vessels at slow speeds.
* Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn instrumentation.
* Ability to work independently and collaborate within a research team. Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and respected.

Benefits:
* Hands-on experience in estuarine field sampling and water-quality monitoring.
* Training in salinity sensors, metadata collection, and field operations.
* Direct engagement with an interdisciplinary coastal research team.
* Skills useful for graduate school, internships, and coastal resource work.

The position is based at ECU's Coastal campus in the Coastal Studies Institute, located on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

* Prior field experience or coursework in environmental science.
* Comfort with Excel, GIS, or data visualization (not required).

Please upload your resume online.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.